Janaka and the Burning of Mithila

Verse 1 (12.223.1)

किं कारणं महाप्राज्ञ दह्यमानश्च मैथिलः । मिथिलां नेह धर्मात्मा प्राह वीक्ष्य विदाहिताम् ॥

kiṃ kāraṇaṃ mahāprājña dahyamānaśca maithilaḥ | mithilāṃ neha dharmātmā prāha vīkṣya vidāhitām

O greatly wise one, what was the reason that the righteous king of Mithila, though his city was burning, did not lament Mithila when he saw it set ablaze?

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition gives it as Appendix I No. 19 (12.212.052d@019, printed after 12.212.52), lines 0001-0002. The speaker heading printed inside the verse text (`* युधिष्ठिर उवाच) is made the speaker, and the wiki marks are removed. The page's footnote says this adhyaya and the next appear only in the manuscript Dha.

Verse 2 (12.223.2)

श्रूयतां नृपशार्दूल यदर्थं दीपिता पुरा । वह्निना दीपिता सा तु तन्मे शृणु महामते ॥

śrūyatāṃ nṛpaśārdūla yadarthaṃ dīpitā purā | vahninā dīpitā sā tu tanme śṛṇu mahāmate

Listen, tiger among kings, to the reason why Mithila was set ablaze long ago. It was kindled by fire; hear that from me, O wise one.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition gives it as Appendix I No. 19 (12.212.052d@019, printed after 12.212.52), lines 0003-0004. Corrected श्रृयतां → श्रूयतां (misprint in Wikisource; wrong vowel sign; the CE appendix has śrūyatāṃ).

Verse 3 (12.223.3)

जनको जनदेवस्तु कर्माण्याध्याय चात्मनि । सर्वभावमनुप्राप्य भावेन विचचार सः ॥

janako janadevastu karmāṇyādhyāya cātmani | sarvabhāvamanuprāpya bhāvena vicacāra saḥ

Janaka, the king of men, having laid his deeds upon the Self and attained the state of being in all things, lived on in that spirit.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition gives it as Appendix I No. 19 (12.212.052d@019, printed after 12.212.52), lines 0005-0006.

Verse 4 (12.223.4)

यजन्ददंस्तथा जुह्वन्पालयन्पृथिवीमिमाम् । अध्यात्मविन्महाप्राज्ञस्तन्मयत्वेन निष्ठितः ॥

yajandadaṃstathā juhvanpālayanpṛthivīmimām | adhyātmavinmahāprājñastanmayatvena niṣṭhitaḥ

Offering sacrifices, giving gifts, pouring oblations and protecting this earth, that greatly wise knower of the Self remained absorbed in it.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition gives it as Appendix I No. 19 (12.212.052d@019, printed after 12.212.52), lines 0007-0008.

Verse 5 (12.223.5)

स तस्य हृदि संकल्पं ज्ञातुमैच्छत्स्वयं प्रभुः । सर्वलोकाधिपस्तत्र द्विजरूपेण संयुतः ॥

sa tasya hṛdi saṃkalpaṃ jñātumaicchatsvayaṃ prabhuḥ | sarvalokādhipastatra dvijarūpeṇa saṃyutaḥ

The Lord himself, ruler of all the worlds, wished to know the resolve in his heart, and came there in the form of a brahmin.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition gives it as Appendix I No. 19 (12.212.052d@019, printed after 12.212.52), lines 0009-0010.

Verse 6 (12.223.6)

मिथिलायां महाबुद्धिर्व्यलीकं किंचिदाचरन् । स गृहीत्वा द्विजश्रेष्ठैर्नृपाय प्रतिवेदितः ॥

mithilāyāṃ mahābuddhirvyalīkaṃ kiṃcidācaran | sa gṛhītvā dvijaśreṣṭhairnṛpāya prativeditaḥ

In Mithila that very intelligent man committed some small offence; he was seized by the foremost brahmins and reported to the king.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition gives it as Appendix I No. 19 (12.212.052d@019, printed after 12.212.52), lines 0011-0012.

Verse 7 (12.223.7)

अपराधं समुद्दिश्य तं राजा प्रत्यभाषत । न त्वां ब्राह्मण दण्डेन नियोक्ष्यामि कथंचन ॥

aparādhaṃ samuddiśya taṃ rājā pratyabhāṣata | na tvāṃ brāhmaṇa daṇḍena niyokṣyāmi kathaṃcana

The king addressed him about the offence: "Brahmin, I will not punish you with the rod in any way.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition gives it as Appendix I No. 19 (12.212.052d@019, printed after 12.212.52), lines 0013-0014.

Verse 8 (12.223.8)

मम राज्याद्विनिर्गच्छ यावत्सीमा भुवो मम । तच्छ्रुत्वा ब्राह्मणो गत्वा राजानं प्रत्युवाच ह ॥

mama rājyādvinirgaccha yāvatsīmā bhuvo mama | tacchrutvā brāhmaṇo gatvā rājānaṃ pratyuvāca ha

Leave my kingdom, as far as the boundary of my land reaches." Hearing this, the brahmin went to the king and replied:

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition gives it as Appendix I No. 19 (12.212.052d@019, printed after 12.212.52), lines 0015-0016.

Verse 9 (12.223.9)

करिष्ये वचनं राजन्ब्रवीहि मम जानतः । का सीमा तव भूमेस्तु ब्रूहि धर्मं ममाद्य वै ॥

kariṣye vacanaṃ rājanbravīhi mama jānataḥ | kā sīmā tava bhūmestu brūhi dharmaṃ mamādya vai

"I will do as you say, O king. Tell me, so that I may know: what is the boundary of your land? Tell me the law of it now."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition gives it as Appendix I No. 19 (12.212.052d@019, printed after 12.212.52), lines 0017-0018.

Verse 10 (12.223.10)

तच्छ्रुत्वा मैथिलो राजा लज्जयावनताननः । नोवाच वचनं विप्रं तत्वबुद्ध्या समीक्ष्य तत् ॥

tacchrutvā maithilo rājā lajjayāvanatānanaḥ | novāca vacanaṃ vipraṃ tatvabuddhyā samīkṣya tat

Hearing this, the king of Mithila bowed his face in shame. Weighing the matter with the eye of truth, he said nothing to the brahmin.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition gives it as Appendix I No. 19 (12.212.052d@019, printed after 12.212.52), lines 0019-0020.

Verse 11 (12.223.11)

पुनःपुनश्च तं विप्रश्चोदयामास सत्वरम् । ब्रूहि राजेन्द्र गच्छामि तव राज्याद्विवासितः ॥

punaḥpunaśca taṃ vipraścodayāmāsa satvaram | brūhi rājendra gacchāmi tava rājyādvivāsitaḥ

The brahmin pressed him again and again, impatiently: "Tell me, king of kings, and I will go, for I am banished from your kingdom."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition gives it as Appendix I No. 19 (12.212.052d@019, printed after 12.212.52), lines 0021-0022. Corrected राज्या द्विवासितः → राज्याद्विवासितः (misprint in Wikisource; द्वि for वि, word division; the CE appendix has rājyād vivāsitaḥ).

Verse 12 (12.223.12)

ततो नृपो विचार्यैवमाह ब्राह्मणपुङ्गवम् । आवासो वा न मेऽस्त्यत्र सर्वा वा पृथिवी मम । गच्छ वा तिष्ठ वा ब्रह्मन्निति मे निश्चिता मतिः ॥

tato nṛpo vicāryaivamāha brāhmaṇapuṅgavam | āvāso vā na me'styatra sarvā vā pṛthivī mama | gaccha vā tiṣṭha vā brahmanniti me niścitā matiḥ

Then the king, after reflection, said to the best of brahmins: "I have no dwelling here, or else the whole earth is mine. Go or stay, brahmin; this is my settled judgement."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition gives it as Appendix I No. 19 (12.212.052d@019, printed after 12.212.52), lines 0023-0025.

Verse 13 (12.223.13)

इत्युक्तः स तथा तेन मैथिलेन द्विजोत्तमः । अब्रवीत्तं महात्मानं राजानं मन्त्रिभिर्वृतम् ॥

ityuktaḥ sa tathā tena maithilena dvijottamaḥ | abravīttaṃ mahātmānaṃ rājānaṃ mantribhirvṛtam

Thus addressed by the Maithila, the best of the twice-born spoke to that great-souled king, who was surrounded by his ministers:

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition gives it as Appendix I No. 19 (12.212.052d@019, printed after 12.212.52), lines 0026-0027.

Verse 14 (12.223.14)

त्वमेवं पद्मनाभस्य नित्यं पक्षपदाहितः । अहो सिद्धार्थरूपोऽसि गमिष्ये स्वस्ति तेऽस्तु वै ॥

tvamevaṃ padmanābhasya nityaṃ pakṣapadāhitaḥ | aho siddhārtharūpo'si gamiṣye svasti te'stu vai

"You are ever set at the side of Padmanabha. Ah, you are one whose aim is fulfilled! I shall go; may it be well with you."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition gives it as Appendix I No. 19 (12.212.052d@019, printed after 12.212.52), lines 0028-0029.

Verse 15 (12.223.15)

इत्युक्त्वा प्रययौ विप्रस्तज्जिज्ञासुर्द्विजोत्तमः । अदहच्चाग्निना तस्य मिथिलां भगवान्स्वयम् ॥

ityuktvā prayayau viprastajjijñāsurdvijottamaḥ | adahaccāgninā tasya mithilāṃ bhagavānsvayam

Having said this, the brahmin, the best of the twice-born, went away, eager to test him; and the Blessed One himself burned Mithila with fire.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition gives it as Appendix I No. 19 (12.212.052d@019, printed after 12.212.52), lines 0030-0031. Corrected द्विजोत्तमान् → द्विजोत्तमः (misprint in Wikisource; the word is the subject, in apposition with विप्रः; the CE appendix has dvijottamaḥ).

Verse 16 (12.223.16)

प्रदीप्यमानां मिथिलां दृष्ट्वा राजा न कम्पितः । जनैः स परिपृष्टस्तु वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह ॥

pradīpyamānāṃ mithilāṃ dṛṣṭvā rājā na kampitaḥ | janaiḥ sa paripṛṣṭastu vākyametaduvāca ha

Seeing Mithila ablaze, the king did not tremble. Questioned by the people, he spoke these words:

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition gives it as Appendix I No. 19 (12.212.052d@019, printed after 12.212.52), lines 0032-0033.

Verse 17 (12.223.17)

अनन्तं वत मे वित्तं भाव्यं मे नास्ति किंचन । मिथिलायां प्रदीप्तायां न मे किंचन दह्यते ॥

anantaṃ vata me vittaṃ bhāvyaṃ me nāsti kiṃcana | mithilāyāṃ pradīptāyāṃ na me kiṃcana dahyate

"Truly my wealth is endless; there is nothing of mine that is mine to lose. With Mithila ablaze, nothing of mine is burning."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition gives it as Appendix I No. 19 (12.212.052d@019, printed after 12.212.52), lines 0034-0035.

Verse 18 (12.223.18)

तदस्य भाषमाणस्य श्रुत्वा श्रुत्वा हृदि स्थितम् । पुनः संजीवयामास मिथिलां तां द्विजोत्तमः ॥

tadasya bhāṣamāṇasya śrutvā śrutvā hṛdi sthitam | punaḥ saṃjīvayāmāsa mithilāṃ tāṃ dvijottamaḥ

Hearing again and again what lay in his heart as he spoke, the best of brahmins brought that Mithila back to life.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition gives it as Appendix I No. 19 (12.212.052d@019, printed after 12.212.52), lines 0036-0037.

Verse 19 (12.223.19)

आत्मानं दर्शयामास वरं चास्मै ददौ पुनः । धर्मे तिष्ठस्व सद्भावो बुद्धिस्तेऽर्थे नराधिप ॥

ātmānaṃ darśayāmāsa varaṃ cāsmai dadau punaḥ | dharme tiṣṭhasva sadbhāvo buddhiste'rthe narādhipa

He revealed himself and gave him a boon besides: "Stand firm in dharma; let your disposition be good and your mind be set on the true end, O lord of men.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition gives it as Appendix I No. 19 (12.212.052d@019, printed after 12.212.52), lines 0038-0039. Corrected चास्नै दद्रौ → चास्मै ददौ (two misprints in Wikisource; the CE appendix has cāsmai dadau).

Verse 20 (12.223.20)

सत्ये तिष्ठस्व निर्विण्णः स्वस्ति तेऽस्तु व्रजाम्यहम् । इत्युक्त्वा भगवांश्चैनं तत्रैवान्तरधीयत । एतत्ते कथितं राजन्किं भूयः श्रोतुमिच्छसि ॥

satye tiṣṭhasva nirviṇṇaḥ svasti te'stu vrajāmyaham | ityuktvā bhagavāṃścainaṃ tatraivāntaradhīyata | etatte kathitaṃ rājankiṃ bhūyaḥ śrotumicchasi

Stand firm in truth, free from attachment; may it be well with you, I depart." Having said this, the Blessed One vanished from that very place. "This has been told to you, O king; what more do you wish to hear?"

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition gives it as Appendix I No. 19 (12.212.052d@019, printed after 12.212.52), lines 0040-0042. Removed the closing quote mark and doubled daṇḍa printed at the end. The last line (एतत्ते कथितं राजन् …) is Bhishma's closing to Yudhishthira.